Sawtooth Valley south of Stanley, Idaho

Galena Pass, Sawtooth Valley Salmon River: Stanley, Idaho

Today we are driving SR 75 south of Stanley, Idaho through the Sawtooth Valley to the summit of Galena Pass.

June 15, 2007

Our motorhome is in Garrity RV-Park in Nampa 10-miles west of Boise. It was $21 per-night for FHU & Cable while every place else in the area seemed to start at $26 and rapidly go up. Garrity was just fine. It was clean, well managed, the sites were close but we were not there and didn't go outside except when heading to and from the automobile. There was a good number of permanent or long term in the campground but they were being managed properly thus were no problem. We would stay at Garrity again but those that like to spend the day and evening under the awning sipping cool ones might rather be in one of the other area parks. N43° 35.245' W116° 31.592'

Our motorhome may be back in Nampa at Garrity RV-Park but we got a motel room in Stanley last night. We were on a very long scenic drive yesterday and decided that we could better experience what we wanted to see by staying in a motel overnight. We found ourselves in Stanley still wanting to check out the scenic drive along the Salmon River north on SR 75 out of Stanley plus we wanted to drive to the pass on the Scenic Drive south on SR 75. Bottom line, we needed to spend the night in Stanley if we wanted to have time to experience these areas.

We got up early Friday morning, it was the only way to accomplish all the things we wanted to do today. We headed south on SR 75 through the beautiful Sawtooth Valley toward Galena Pass & Sun Valley.

Sawtooth Mountains south of Stanley, Idaho

We aren't planning to go all the way into Sun Valley. Our plan is to climb Galena Pass to the summit between Stanley and Sun Valley then turn around and return to Stanley.

For those of you interested in geology there are two rather small circues visible in this picture. Cirques are the bowl shaped indentions you see that are filled with snow. You can learn more about cirques here: Cirques

Sawtooth Valley and Mountains from Stanley, Idaho

As I recall this picture, of the Sawtooth Mountains, was taken from Lower Stanley along the bank of the Salmon River.

Sawtooth Valley, Salmon River & Sawtooth Mountains from Stanley, Idaho

To early explorers the Sawtooth Mountains resembled a huge saw lying on its back. The jagged "teeth" were carved by glaciers ages ago.

Sawtooth Valley, Salmon River and Sawtooth Mountains near Stanley, Idaho

Take a good look at the Salmon River flowing through this "crack" in the mountains surrounding Stanley. Twenty five miles south of here this river has its beginning as snow melt from Sawtooth Mountain glaciers.

Sawtooth Mountains from Sawtooth Valley south of Stanley, Idaho

Sawtooth Valley south of Stanley, Idaho on SR-75

The drive south of Stanley through the Sawtooth Valley on SR-75 is one beautiful drive and Joyce is trying her best to capture it.

Vienna, Idaho in the Sawtooth Valley

The Sawtooth Valley along the budding Salmon River was the site of several gold strikes in the late 1800s.

Sawtooth Valley looking north from Galean Pass with Sawtooth Mountains in background

Here is the Sawtooth Valley looking north from Galean Pass. The headwaters of the Salmon River form in this valley. The Salmon River begins as a small stream seen in the left side of this picture. It winds 420 miles across Idaho before flowing into the Snake River south of Lewiston very near the "three corners area " of Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

If you are interested, you can spot the small stream that develops into the Salmon River as it flows through the Sawtooth Valley by looking in the left center of this picture. In the grass flat area locate the thin strip of trees. Once you have located the thin strip of trees in the grass look closely along the trees and you will see a dark green line of vegetation. That dark green vegetation is growing along the bank of the small stream that develops into the Salmon River.

The Salmon River was first "discovered" by white men, in 1805 when Lewis and Clark passed this way on their epic journey. Later it was explored, with great difficulty, by fur traders and prospectors. The Salmon drains a vast tangle of rugged mountains and deep canyons in central Idaho. Before 1950, boats could not ascend the main canyon, so the Salmon got the name "river of no return". Large tracts of untamed wilderness are still found in the Salmon River Mountains.

The Salmon River has also affected the destiny of Idaho. Because of the river's rugged canyons, the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1805 turned back, calling the Salmon River, "The River of No Return."

Sawtooth Mountains from Sawtooth Valley

To us the Sawtooth Valley around Stanley is one of the most beautiful places in the United States. Everywhere you look delivers stunning beauty.

Note the glacial circues filled with snow high in the Sawtooth Mountains. Cirques are the bowl shaped areas filled with snow. To learn more about cirques click here: Cirques.

Sawtooth Mountains and valley south of Stanley, Idaho

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